Root Canal Treatment

About Root Canal Treatment

Also known as an endodontic treatment, the root canal treatment is a dental procedure that addresses the issues related to the roots of the teeth, such as: nerve damage, tooth pulp damage, or other injuries/diseases of the teeth that cause pain, infection, and teeth loss. This treatment helps save not only the health of a single tooth, but also surrounding teeth, as well as providing pain relief and restoring the chewing function.

Another important aspect to keep in mind is that, contrary to popular belief, the root canal procedures don’t require countless visits to the dentist, but, usually, can be performed in 1 to 2 office visits.

Another popular misconception is that root canal treatment involves removing the tooth root. In fact, the damaged or diseased pulp from inside the tooth is, indeed, removed, but filled afterwards with another substance to replace it.

Before the treatment, patients will have x-rays taken in order to determine the shape and condition of the root canal(s) involved, as well as to determine the spread/signs of infection to the surrounding teeth/bone tissue.

During the procedure, the dentist will numb the tooth or area with local/injectable anaesthetic. A piece of rubber will be slipped over the tooth in order to isolate it from its neighbouring teeth. Next, the tooth will be drilled and a hole created – through this hole, the dentist will be able to remove the infected/decayed material from the inside of the tooth. Afterwards, the tooth will be flushed with antiseptic solution.

In some situations, the dentist can ask the patient to wait for one or two weeks before returning to the dental office for tooth filling, just to make sure that all the infectious/decayed materials have been removed. Meanwhile, the tooth will be fitted with a temporary crown.

The tooth will be refilled with a sealer paste/rubber compound, and the original drill hole will be filled with typical dental fillers. At this moment, additional tooth restoration can be initiated, or a crown can be fitted in order to help protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, helping it restore its full functionality.

COST OF ROOT CANAL TREATMENT IN MEXICO

A patient undergoing this procedure in Mexico may pay around $185. Here are some root canal cost examples: